Movie of the Week

This week,

NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)

Starring- Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Martin Landau

There are five or six Alfred Hitchcock films that are better than the rest, and I can safely say that this one is in that distinct group. North by Northwest is more light hearted and fun than some of Hitchcock's other works and was an intentional departure from the dark, moody story that marked his previous film, Vertigo. While this movie is has less symbolism and overt psychological mind games, it is still a suspenseful thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of its seat until the very end.

Madison Avenue advertising executive Roger Thornhill (Grant) is just going about his day when he is mistaken for the unknown George Kaplan and taken by force to the home of diplomat Lester Townshend. There he is interrogated by a mysterious man who turns out to be Philip Vandamm (Mason). When they don't get the information they need from Thornhill they attempt to kill him, but he escapes. The trail then leads Thornhill to the United Nations building and then on the run from the law after he is suspected of murder. While on the run he meets cool blonde Eve Kendall (Marie Saint) on a train, and she helps him piece together the mystery of his mistaken identity.

The plot twists and turns until the audience isn't sure who to trust and Thornhill is asked to play the part of the man he was mistaken for in the beginning in order to help capture the sinister Vandamm. It all ends in a brilliantly shot and choreographed chase/fight atop Mount Rushmore that is one of Hitchcock's most enduring scenes.  Grant is charming as always, and gets off some great lines that keep the mood of the film witty amidst the ever present Cold War suspense and the race for one of his most prevalent MacGuffins. James Mason is a good foil for Grant and exudes charm while maintaining an air of menace, and Eva Marie Saint is the classic Hitchcockian 'cool blonde.'

Film students are asked to study this film because of its iconic scenes, and the use of techniques that Hitchcock honed and made his own. One of the best and most overlooked moments is when the thing that the villains are after is explained in detail, but it cannot be heard by the audience because of the sound of an airplane motor. It is classic Hitchcock all the way. Movies don't get much more fun, thrilling and scenic than this.

Things to watch for-

The Professor
The cool Frank Lloyd Wright-esque house
Watch out for crop dusting planes
The phallic final shot
Hitchcock misses the bus

"Now you listen to me, I'm an advertising man, not a red herring. I've got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex-wives and several bartenders that depend upon me, and I don't intend to disappoint them all by getting myself "slightly" killed."

Movie of the Week

This week,

REAR WINDOW (1954)

Starring- James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter

This is the greatest summertime thriller ever made. Alfred Hitchcock is at his suspenseful best in this smart, stylish and voyeuristic story of a man who gets too involved in the lives of his neighbors. I place Rear Window as one of the two or three best films Hitchcock ever made. It has many of the director's hallmarks- a compelling leading man, the cool blonde heroine, great sets and costumes, clever dialogue and a plot that keeps you guessing up until the very end.

Professional photographer L.B. Jefferies (Stewart) is confined to a wheelchair for six weeks following an accident, and in the last week of his time in a cast, he takes to watching his neighbors out the window as a form of entertainment.  He gets chided by his nurse and his glamourous girlfriend (Kelly) for his peeping, especially when he thinks he sees some sinister goings on across the way. The plot thickens as the week wears on, and Jefferies looks to find more proof to support his belief that a murder might have taken place. Hitchcock expertly builds the tension throughout, throwing curve balls at the audience as the film works towards its resolution.

Stewart, a Hitchcock favorite, is the perfect leading man for this film, able to be both strong and vulnerable at the same time. He is also likable, considering that he could be considered to be doing something illegal by spying on his neighbors. The issue of voyeurism is up for debate in the movie, but Hitchcock doesn't lead you to feel one way or the other, and leaves it up to you to make up your own mind about what is right and wrong. Grace Kelly could wear a paper bag and look good, but she looks even better in Edith Head's costumes and serves as a nice 'girl Friday' for Stewart. Also of note are the great cast of characters that round out the neighborhood. I try to never remember the exact end of this film, because it is nice to see it as if for the first time every time I watch it. Rear Window takes place during a hot summer week, so make sure to watch it before there are no more summer weeks left.

Things to watch for-

Raymond Burr (T.V.'s Perry Mason) as Lars Thorwald
Miss Torso
Flashbulbs can be deadly
A cameo by Hitchcock
All the film's music is diagetic (look that word up, kids)

"A murderer would never parade his crime in front of an open window."